Current AEW star MVP has worked with a number of legendary tag team partners throughout his storied career, but he has named one man as the absolute easiest to work with: the great Matt Hardy. During a recent episode of his Marking Out podcast, MVP reflected on his time teaming with Hardy in WWE back in 2007, heaping praise on his former partner’s elite-level tag team wrestling skills.
MVP on His Easiest Tag Team Partner
When asked to name the one tag team partner who made everything in the ring easier, MVP didn’t hesitate. While he acknowledged that teaming with his current Hurt Syndicate partner, Shelton Benjamin, is an “easy night,” he gave the ultimate honor to the TNA veteran, Matt Hardy.
“The one tag partner that made everything easier- been fortunate through the years to have been blessed with some elite-level tag team partners; if I’m teaming with Shelton [Benjamin] it’s an easy night,” MVP said. “I think the quickest and I guess probably most honest answer would be the great Matt Hardy.”
MVP and Hardy, despite being rivals for the United States Championship at the time, formed a successful and memorable tag team that captured the WWE Tag Team Championship.
“Like Being on Auto-Pilot”
MVP went on to explain exactly what made teaming with Hardy such a seamless experience. He praised Hardy as an “elite tag team specialist” who has a deep, instinctual understanding of the psychology and flow of tag team wrestling. According to MVP, working with Hardy was so easy it was almost like being on auto-pilot.
“When it comes to tag team wrestling, he’s so plugged in with tag team wrestling and how things should flow that it’s almost like being on auto-pilot,” MVP explained. “Matt would just lay out a formula, and Matt always had great ideas for certain spots, certain heat spots… one of the best at it.”
His comments paint a picture of Hardy as a brilliant in-ring general and a master of his craft, a reputation he has earned over decades as one of the most decorated tag team wrestlers of all time.
A Rivalry and a Partnership
The MVP and Matt Hardy storyline from 2007 is remembered fondly by fans for its unique and entertaining dynamic. The two were engaged in a heated feud over MVP’s United States Championship, but they were forced to team up by then-SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long. Despite their animosity, they found immediate success, defeating Deuce ‘n Domino to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. Their partnership was built on a foundation of one-upmanship and comedic tension, but MVP’s recent comments show that behind the on-screen drama, there was a deep professional respect between the two performers.
While MVP is now a leader of The Hurt Syndicate in AEW and Matt Hardy is a veteran presence in TNA, the mutual respect between the two former champions is clear. MVP’s high praise is a testament to the incredible legacy that Matt Hardy has built as one of the true masters of tag team wrestling.